lopsided balance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lopsided balance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is an uneven or unequal distribution of elements, often implying instability or unfairness. Example: "The committee's decisions reflected a lopsided balance of power, favoring one group over the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

What immediately jumps out at you when you compare China with almost any other economy, aside from its rapid growth, is the lopsided balance between consumption and investment.

The New York Times

It is a lopsided balance sheet, one that is unlikely to satisfy all the constituencies of the criminal justice system, particularly the alumni of the Central Park case.

The New York Times

Though the original tale unfolds almost entirely through the man's point of view, the film rights this lopsided balance, fleshing out a character who, on the page, is little more than an abstraction, a succession of nouns ("wife," "girl") vaguely rouged and even more vaguely imagined by the husband.

The New York Times

Congress has historically preferred that lopsided balance.

Science Magazine

"The Six of Coins is about a lopsided balance.

BBC

The split reflects the "most lopsided balance in favor of the U.S. 'minding its own business' in the nearly 50-year history of the measure," according to Pew.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The real reason for the lopsided trade balance, so the Japan-bashers insist, is that the Japanese Government systematically bars its door to competitive American products.

The New York Times - Magazine

That vastly lopsided trade balance means America is effectively funding China's tools of oppression.

HuffPost

And the Chinese government is urging them on by loosening previously cumbersome restrictions, in part to help Beijing reduce a lopsided trade balance with the U.S. and make the most of its massive foreign reserves.

Los Angeles Times

The biggest concern comes from Washington, where the Trump administration has frequently vowed to punish Mexico and China for their lopsided trade balances with the United States — a step that would raise the cost of components used by American factories.

The New York Times

With such lopsided partisan balances, as is true of most congressional districts due primarily to natural "sorting" that has gone on among voters in recent decades, the district is a slam dunk win for any Republican facing a Democrat.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lopsided balance", ensure the context clearly indicates which elements are disproportionate and the consequences of this imbalance. For instance, "The lopsided balance between investment and consumption hindered economic growth."

Common error

Avoid using "lopsided balance" when a simple lack of balance is meant. "Lopsided" implies a specific type of imbalance where one side is significantly heavier or larger. Ensure that the image of something being tilted or skewed is relevant to your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lopsided balance" functions as a descriptive term, typically modifying a noun to indicate an unequal or disproportionate distribution of elements. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts ranging from economics to personal relationships. This noun/adjective association allows for precise portrayal of the inequality at hand.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lopsided balance" is a grammatically correct and usable term that describes an unequal distribution or disproportion. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It is most commonly found in news and media, with academic and scientific contexts also appearing. When using "lopsided balance", ensure you are conveying a scenario where one side is noticeably heavier or larger. Alternatives include "uneven equilibrium", "unequal distribution", and "skewed proportion". Using the guidance and examples from Ludwig will help ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneven equilibrium

Replaces "lopsided" with "uneven" and "balance" with "equilibrium", emphasizing the lack of stability.

unequal distribution

Focuses on the disparity in distribution rather than the sense of balance.

skewed proportion

Highlights the distortion in proportions, implying something is out of alignment.

disproportionate ratio

Emphasizes the difference in the ratio between two elements.

unbalanced asymmetry

Combines the idea of lacking balance with the concept of asymmetry, reinforcing the lack of evenness.

irregular parity

Highlights the lack of evenness or equality between two or more things.

uneven weighting

Focuses on how different elements are given unequal importance or influence.

lopsidedness

This is a noun form, simply naming the state of being lopsided. The verb counterpart is to be lopsided.

unevenness

Simply naming the state of being uneven.

lopside

Short version of lopsidedness.

FAQs

How can I use "lopsided balance" in a sentence?

You can use "lopsided balance" to describe situations where there's an uneven distribution or disproportionate relationship between two or more things. For example: "The team's success was due to a "lopsided balance" of talent, with a few star players carrying the rest."

What phrases are similar to "lopsided balance"?

Similar phrases include "uneven equilibrium", "unequal distribution", or "skewed proportion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lopsided balance" always negative?

While often used to describe negative situations, such as unfair distributions, "lopsided balance" isn't inherently negative. It simply describes an imbalance, which could have positive consequences in certain contexts. For example, a "lopsided balance" of skills in a team might make it uniquely effective.

What's the difference between "lopsided" and "unbalanced"?

"Unbalanced" is a more general term for any state of lacking equilibrium. "Lopsided" implies a specific kind of imbalance where one side is heavier or larger than the other. Using "lopsided" adds a visual or tangible sense of imbalance.